Following a shaky start to his Adelaide United tenure, Josep Gombau produced a slick and entertaining team in South Australia, which won the FFA Cup last season but faltered when it came to finals football.
With the enigmatic Catalan now departed, Adelaide’s ability to push on under former technical director Guillermo Amor is uncertain. Yet the quality remains, and it is tough to see the club taking a backward step.
Their Spanish contingent, which forms the basis of their possession-based play, is only going to improve and there is some serious depth within this squad. With last year’s rivals Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC occupied with Asian Champions League duties later in the season, Adelaide could produce an improved challenge for the premiership and championship.
Strengths
Adelaide’s biggest strength lies in their ability to play both possession-based and route-one football. The midfield trio of Marcelo Carrusca, Isaias Sanchez and the underrated James Jeggo gel wonderfully, and can switch play in an instant.
The team also possesses great width, with fullbacks Tarek Elrich and Michael Marrone constantly overlapping to terrorise opposition defences. Coupled with their depth, there is a lot to like about the Reds.
Weaknesses
Inconsistency has been Adelaide’s biggest weakness. Last season they defeated Sydney FC 3-0 only to return the next week with a 1-3 home loss to Wellington. Similarly, when they embarrassed Newcastle 7-0 they backed up with a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Mariners.
Big-game temperament is also a concern. While they won the knockout FFA Cup, Adelaide have at times failed to win the decisive games. They were demolished 4-1 by Graham Arnold’s men in last year’s semi-final, while in 2013-14 they scraped into the A-League finals only to lose 1-0 to the Central Coast Mariners
Most recently they fell to Melbourne Victory 3-1 in the FFA Cup quarter-finals. A ruthless streak must be imposed if they are to reach their potential.
Big question: Does Amor have the goods to continue Gombau’s work?
Technical directors moving into head coaching roles rarely work smoothly in the A-League, and Amor’s abilities are largely unknown. He has exceptional pedigree as a player, and so will demand respect from his players, yet this is still his first managerial position.
Does he have the personality, the motivational powers and man-management skills to push this side to the next level? It will be the difference between challenging for silverware or settling for a spot in the finals.
Adelaide United’s Bruce Djite. (AAP Image/Ben Macmahon)
Key man: Isaias Sanchez
While the creativity, guile and goals of Carrusca and Cirio are essential to Adelaide breaking open opponents, Isaias is the real magician. The deep-lying playmaker makes this team tick, with his quick-thinking long balls complementing his short, sharp movements into space.
Isaias covers the backline, drops deep to pick up possession, bursts forward when necessary and draws defenders to create room for his teammates. He is indispensable.
Youngster to watch: George Mells
The 18-year-old is largely unknown in Australia thanks to moving to England at the age of 12 to train with Chelsea before moving to Southampton’s famed youth setup. Returning home on a one-year deal, Mells has ambitions for first-team football and his progression in a talented Adelaide midfield will be an interesting development.
The attacking midfielder has been involved with the Young Socceroos’ recent AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers, starting both games against the Philippines and Laos.
Look out for Eli Babalj, too, who should quickly usurp Bruce Djite as the No.9 and display the form he has been threatening to produce for years. Bruce Kamau is another to keep an eye on.
Position last season: Third
A blistering start to the season was ruined by inconsistency, and third place was an apt finish. They failed in the finals, however, Sydney FC proving a different class.
Prediction: Top two
Josep Gombau is a huge loss, but you would think Amor can continue the progression. The same was said about Rado Vidosic in Brisbane, yet this squad has depth and quality to finish top two.
First five fixtures
Melbourne Victory (H), Western Sydney (H), Perth Glory (A), Brisbane Roar (A), Melbourne City (H).
Possible line-up
Cirio, Djite, Sanchez
Carrusca, Isaias, Jeggo
Elrich, McGowan, Malik, Marrone
Galekovic
Ins
Iaccapo La Rocca (Wanderers), George Mells (free agent), Eli Babalj (on loan from AZ Alkmaar), Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne City).
Outs
Nigel Boogaard (Newcastle Jets), Cassio (released), Miguel Palanca (released), Awer Mabil (FC Midtjylland), Cameron Watson (Newcastle Jets), Paul Izzo (Mariners).
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